Institutions Matter

Exploring the Differences in Labor and Welfare Institutions for Decent Work in Developed and Developing Countries

SOURCE: AP/Daniel Ochoa de Olza

People line up to enter a government job center in Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2009. The Center for American Progress will join world leaders this Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the urgent need to strengthen labor and welfare institutions to better protect workers around the world.

By Sabina Dewan | June 9, 2009

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The Center for American Progress will join world leaders this Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the urgent need to strengthen labor and welfare institutions to better protect workers around the world at an event hosted by the International Labor Organization, and the Norwegian, German, and South African governments.

The economic crisis has reinforced the need for countries to strengthen institutions that offer social protection, decent employment opportunities, and social dialogue to help workers cope with and break the downward spiral. Together, we can structurally rebalance the world economy and improve its resilience in the face of future crises.

CAP Senior Fellow Richard Samans and Associate Director for International Economic Policy Sabina Dewan will join international leaders to discuss these critical issues, including the Foreign Minister of Norway Jonas Støre, Minister of Labor of South Africa Mr. Membathisi Mdladlana, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Germany Mr. Detlef Scheele, ILO Director General Juan Somavia, and World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy.

Check back next week for post-trip analysis from Sabina Dewan.

Sabina Dewan will present a paper while in Norway:

• Institutions Matter: Exploring the Differences in Labor and Welfare Institutions for Decent Work in Developed and Developing Countries